Sousa dolphins is a common local name for these shy and reserved dolphin. Other people call them estuary or Mary river dolphins due to their tendency to frequent the shallow rivers and estuaries.

Indo –pacific humpback dolphins grow to 2.8 metres in length similar to that of inshore bottle nose dolphins, they are in fact often seen socialising and feeding together as they share similar territories. Sousa dolphins do not share looks of the bottlenose,  having  a much shorter and more triangular dorsal fin, their beak is longer, their pectoral  fins rounded and they have a smaller eye but a larger melon. Colours range from dark brown to pale grey and some almost albino in the northern parts of Fraser island.

One less vertebrae in the neck allows these dolphins to turn their heads at greater angles for capturing fish. Sousa dolphins are not afraid of shallow or murky water, they have excellent eco location and target fish in the most turbid water.

Sousa dolphins are shy of boats and do not bow ride or visit vessels.

They can be as dynamic as any of the dolphins, leaping and somersaulting around, however they tend to do it amongst themselves but not for us humans as would sometimes be the case with other dolphins.

Strongly territorial and family orientated means these dolphins are under increased pressure in certain areas.

Hervey Bay Dolphin Tours

Fraser Island Dolphin Tours